Allen was known for having been the captain of the last ship to carry convicts from South Australia to the prison colony in Van Diemen's Land.
Allen took extra precautions to ensure the safety of his ship, the brig Punch, carrying prisoners, police and paying passengers.
It had on board nine male and three female prisoners, escorted by four Adelaide police, and eleven passengers (including five children).
By either account, the convicts had planned an escape and mutiny, using tools and equipment shipped on board in a locked chest.
[5] She accompanied him on voyages around Australia and South East Asia on the brigs Punch and Empress and schooner Swallow until he retired from sailing in 1875.